Boiler construction



Fcb. 19, 41946. C. R.' BRlGGS, 2,395,035

BOILER CONSTRUCTION FiiedApril 11,'1944 jvVLNToR', CAQL R. BRIGGS Patented Feb. 19, 1946 UNITED I STATES vPATEIW oFElcE BOILER CONSTRUCTION Carl R. Briggs, Mantua, Ohio Application April-11, 1944, Serial No. 530,444 7 claims. (ci. 12a- 250)` The present invention relates to improvements in steam boilers. While the inventive concept here disclosed and claimed may be embodied in a variety of applications it is especially adapted to a steam power plant for self-propelled vehicles, such as trucks, tractors, movable power units, or even passenger Vehicles.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel steam boiler capable of developing substantially maximum steam pressure in an unusually kbrief period after starting. f f

Another object of the invention is to provide a steam boilercomprising a novel water circulation system.

Another object of the invention is to providev a steam boiler comprising, in combination with other elements',l a novel `arrange-ment ofwater constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the boiler shown in Fig. 1, and taken from the right of Fig.

1, part of the housing being removed, and in section.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a boiler tube arrangement differing somewhat from that used in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, parts being broken away.

Fig. 4 is section takenV on the line 4-'4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2. I

Before the present invention is described in detail it is to be understood that such invention is not limited to the details of construction and/ or the specific arrangement of parts herein illustrated and/or described, as the invention obviously may take other forms. It also is-fto be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein employed is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. l

With reference especially to Figs. 1 and 2, the

embodiment of my invention there shown com-v height therein, and a plurality of steam header tanks I4, I 4 occupy the inner, Aupper portion of ther housing.

' The sediment drum I2 is fed from a suitable water supply or water source (not shown) through pipe I5, and said sediment drum is in communication with the water manifold through a series of helical coils or pipes I6, I6, as well as through a branch extension I5b of the water supply pipe I5, as will appear.

YAn additional series of helical coils or pipes I 1, I'I connect the sediment drum I2 with one or other of the'steam header tanks I4, I4.l The water manifold YI3 is also in communication with the'steam header tanks I4, I4 through suitable pipe connectors I8,v I8.

y It is evident, therefore that each one of the three elements comprising, respectively, the sediment drum, the manifold, and the steam header tank assembly, is in direct communication through piping with each of the other two said elements.

I have provided an exceptionally efcient water heating arrangement. The object of the arrangement is to bring heat to bear, as uniformly as possible, 'on all boiler tubing below the normal operating water level, which water level is maintained approximately at the liquid surface line 20 in water manifold I3 (Fig. 2). To achieve this purpose I have disposeda series of burners 23 in peripheral arrangement around the lower portion of the housing wall, the fuel being, in this instance, oil. The burners are so situated and directed that they throw jets of flame 2d inwardly towards the center of the boiler tube assembly, the jets being positioned and regulated so that all'tubing below the water level and between sediment drum I2 and water manifold I3 is substantially uniformly heated.

The operation of the boiler will be apparent from 'a study of Figs. 1 and 2 in conjunction With the description hereinabove. Water enters through pipe I5, impelled either by gravity or a force pump, from a water supply source not shown. An arm I5a of pipe I5passes longitudinally through sediment drum I2, and connects tlierebeyond with branch 15b which feeds the water manifold I3. Arm I5a, where it passes through drum I2, is provided with a pluralityr of perforations 28 through which a portion of the water passes into drum I2. The balance of the water proceeds through branch pipe Ib into manifold I3, the supply of water through pipe I5 being suicient to maintain the level in manifold I3 at about line 20, due regard being had for the amount being converted into steam. Coils IE are of course completely filled with water, and coils I1 are filled to approximately the same level as that of surface 2D in manifold I3. Conventional means is provided for maintaining the water surface at any desired level, the means being preferably thermoelectrical in nature, and there being thermostatic fuel control means responsive to the same water level, so that the fuel is reduced or shut off if the water level drops. This means, being conventional, is not here shown. Steam developed in coils IB passes through manifold I3, and thence through connecting pipes I8, I8 into steam headers I4, whence it proceeds through pipe 2| and is valved to a power cylinder'or other applicationby suitable apparatus, not shown. Steam developed in coils I'I passes directly to one or other of the steam headers I4, as apparent from the drawing. Sediment accumulating in drum I2 may be'drained or blown out through drain plug 22,

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate a modified arrangement of boiler tubing wherein a plurality of helical tubes are arranged in a concentric series about a common helical axis, each tube having its helical direction or thread reversed with relation to its immediate neighbors, as indicated by the drawing. This arrangement provides an increased steam generating capacity in a restricted space, and the assembly is permeable to a fiame jet by reason of the spacing between the turns of each helix.

Referring particularly to Fig. 4 it is apparent that, as seen from the top, the outer turns of the helix I'Ia descend in a clockwise direction,

the intermediate turns I'Ib run counterclockwise, and the inner turns I'Ic are arranged in a clockwise helix, the arrows in Fig. 4 graphically indicating this fact. Such a concentric helical assembly may be substituted in a series of tubular groups for any or all of the single helices shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The boiler assembly hereinabove described, and shown in the attached drawing is so compact and eiiicient that it is especially adapted for its preferred purpose, namely as part of the power plant for a self-propelled vehicle. The water system, comprising means for supplying both the sediment drum and the water manifold, assures an adequate amount of water in all boiler tubes. The peripheral arrangement of the fuel burners produces rapid and uniform steam generation in all said tubes.

What I claim is:

1. In a steam boiler, a sediment drum, a Water manifold, a series of helically coiled tubes, each communicating at one end with said sediment drum and at the other end with said water manifold, and a water supply pipe passing through said sediment drum and communicating therebeyond with said water manifold, that' portion of said pipe within said drum being perforated whereby a portion of the water passing through said pipe enters said drum and the remaining portion iiows to said manifold.

2. In a steam boiler, a sediment drum, a water manifold, a series of helicallyrcoiled tubes, each communicating at one end with said sediment drum and at the other end with said water manifold, and a water supply pipe passing through said sediment drum and communicating therebeyond with said water manifold, that portionv of said pipe within said drum being perforated whereby a portion of the water passing through said pipe enters said drum and the remaining portion flows to said manifold and heating means entirely surrounding said series of helical tubes whereby heat is brought to bear on said tubes from all sides thereof.

3. In a steam boiler, a sediment drum, a water manifold, a steam header, a series of helically coiled tubes each communicating at one end with said drum and at the other end with said manifold, a second series of helically coiled tubes each communicating at one end with said drum and at the other end with said header, a water supply pipe passing through said drum and communicating therebeyond with said manifold, that portion of said pipe within said drum being provided with a plurality of spaced perforations whereby a portion of thewater passing through said pipe enters said drum through said perforations, and theremaining portion flows to said manifold.

4. In a steam boiler, a sediment drum, a Water manifold, a steam header, a series of helically coiled tubes each communicating at one end with said drum and at the other end with said manifold, a second series of helically coiled tubes each communicating at one end with said drum and at the other end with said header, a water supply pipe passing through said drum and communieating therebeyond with said manifold, that portion of said pipe within said drum being provided with a plurality of spaced perforations whereby a portion of the water passing through said pipe enters said drum through said perforations, and the remaining portion flows to said manifold, and heating means entirely surrounding both said series of helical tubes whereby heat is brought to bear on said tubes from all sides thereof.

5. In a steam boiler, a sediment drum, a water manifold, and a steam header, a series of helically coiled tubes each communicating at one end with said sediment drum, and at the other end with said steam header, a second series of helically coiled tubes communicating at one end with said sediment drum, and at the other end with said water manifold, pipe means communicating at one end with saidwater manifold and at the other end with said steam header, and heating means consisting of a plurality of burners disposed peripherally in spaced relationship around said rst and second series of helically coiled Vtubes whereby names Ifrom said burners are directed inwardly against said tubes from all sides thereof.

6. In a steam boiler, a sediment drum, a water manifold, a series of distinct groups of tubes each group consisting of a plurality of helically coiled tubes of respectively varying helical diameters, the several helices of each group being disposed concentrically one within another, each said helical tube communicating at one end with said manifold, and at the other end with said drum, and the turns of each said helix being reversed in clockwise'direction with respect to the helix next concentrically adjacent thereto and heating means consisting of a plurality of burners disposed peripherally in spaced relationship around said series whereby flames from said burners are directed inwardly against said groups of tubes from all sides thereof.

'7. In a steam boiler, a sediment drum, a water manifold, a series of distinct groups of tubes, each group consisting of a plurality of helically coiled tubes of respectively varying helical diameters, the several helices of each group being disposed concentrically, one within another, each said helical tube communicating at one end with said manifold and at another end with said drum, and the turns of each said helix being reversed in clockwise direction with respect to the helix next concentrically adjacent thereto, a Water supply pipe passing through said drum and communicating therebeyond with said manifold, that portion of said pipe within said drum being provided with perforations whereby a portion of the Water passing through said pipe enters said drum through said perforations, and the remaining portion flows to said manifold, and heating means consisting of a plurality of burners disposed peripherally in spaced relationship around said series whereby flames from said burners are directed inwardly against said groups of tubes from al1 sides thereof.

CARL R. BRIGGS. 

